Month: July 2015

Fireworks, Water Pistols, Sparklers, & S’ Mores! {Summer Bucket List}

Amber 2 Comments

Several years before the quads debut, our friends, Billie & Bob began hosting an annual Fourth of July pool party.  We spend the entire afternoon poolside enjoying beverages a la carte with assorted snacks followed by dinner from the grill.  Two years ago, the quads attended their first pool party, but we left several hours prior to the fireworks display.  This year, we borrowed a library book about July Fourth that mentioned fireworks, and it peaked the quads interest.  Because they usually startle at unexpected noises (e.g. the blender, toilet flushes, hair dryers), I wasn’t convinced fireworks were a prudent idea. I did not make any promises to the quads.

Fourth of July pool party 2013

Before letting the quads outside the confines of the house, I began strapping each one in a puddle jumper.  Naturally, Rylin protested her aqua colored version, stripping it off multiple times.  Billie happened to have a hot pink one available and a disaster was averted.  I’m nervous about the kids near water with puddle jumpers, having them near water without them is a total nightmare.  At first, the kids were hesitant to get into the pool, but with many familiar adults handy, they decided it was worthwhile.

pool party

The day prior to the party, I stumbled upon an eight pack of water pistols on sale at Kroger.  They ended up entertaining kids and adults at the party.  At one point, a duel between Kristin & Aunt CiCi vs Harper & Sydney ensued.  I think the kids won.

In 2013, Ashley and Rylin looked adorable in matching bikinis.

Rylin and Ashley both wore their

This year, Ashley had her own adorable little guy by her side who enjoyed his first Fourth of July pool party.

Ashley & Maddox

And next summer, there will be another cutie at the pool!  Congratulations, JW & Kristin!!!

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Once everyone’s fingers and toes had a raisin like appearance, we bailed out of the pool for an evening picnic.  Apparently the quads worked up an appetite splashing around.  They devoured dinner and had plenty of room for dessert!

Since all four kiddos were in good spirits after dinner, we changed them into pajamas and decided we could stay for fire pit s’ mores and sparklers, both of which were new experiences for them.


s'mores

There’s nothing better than watching your children experience the joys of childhood for the first time.  The looks of awe were priceless.

sparklers

As we enjoyed our s’ mores, several of the neighbors began shooting off small fireworks, and I braced myself for pandemonium.  Much to my surprise, the quads seemed okay with the commotion.  By then, they were already up at least an hour past bedtime and seemed content, so we let them gaze at  poolside fireworks.  Sydney became upset at some of the loudest fireworks, but was content to snuggle with me.

fireworks

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?   For our readers in other countries, do you observe a similar holiday?

Hooray for another item marked off our summer bucket list, and the bonus items we experienced!!!

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Splashground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

PS- If you can’t get enough of Four to Adore, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Fire Station Tour {Summer Bucket List}

Amber 6 Comments

Several months ago, the quads developed an interest in emergency vehicles, signal lights, and first responders.  Every single time they ride in the van, they inquire about the meaning of various colors of lights and point out when they see a fire truck, police car, ect.  I suspect these new-found interests developed after they watched a few episodes of Paw Patrol and Fireman Sam.   With this budding obsession, I thought it fitting to arrange a fire station tour where my uncle, Dale is fire chief. The quads could hardly contain their excitement when they discovered we would see inside of real fire trucks and meet firefighters.

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After a brief tour of the firefighter’s dorm area and living space, we had an opportunity to learn about the large fire trucks.  Dale showed us how the trucks are filled with water and where cameras are located on the truck.  Then, Sydney seized the chance to touch one of the hoses.  Everyone (except Rylin) sat inside one of the trucks and even wore headphones as Dale rattled off pertinent emergency information.

fire truck

fire truck hose

Sydney in the fire truck

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MFD truck

MFD

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In the event of an emergency, young children are often frightened by the sight of first responders, namely firefighters dressed in protective gear.  Dale asked one of the fire fighters to wear his full gear, including oxygen mask and to talk to the quads through the mask.  I have to admit, seeing someone dressed this way can be intimidating, even to an adult.  I’m grateful the quads had a chance to see this firsthand under controlled circumstances.   We will be having many more conversations about safety, reviewing these photographs, and will revisit the fire station.

firefighter

MFD tour

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Following our fire station tour, we grabbed a quick lunch and spent the afternoon with my grandmother.  There’s something special about the way young children and elderly interact.  My heart melted as I watched Harper tell Grandma about everything imaginable from his wardrobe to his dimple and eyelashes.  I think he may have a calling to work with the elderly as he gets older.  In addition to entertaining Grandma, the quads doodled pictures to share with her neighbors and participated in afternoon music time with her.  My mom later told me Grandma recanted details from our visit so I know she appreciated it.

visiting grandma

visiting grandma

Thank you, Dale and the firefighters of Midlothian for allowing us to tour the fire station and teaching us about your duties.  We are grateful for the many brave men and women who serve our communities and our country.

If you are interested in taking a fire station tour, check with your local fire station for tour details.  For Dallas-Fort Worth locals the following cities have tour information available on their websites, which are linked to this blog Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Carrolton, Frisco, and Allen.

Cheers for another item marked off our summer bucket list!!!

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Splashground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles

hugs,

Amber

PS- If you can’t get enough of Four to Adore, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Bahama Buck’s- Original Shaved Ice {Summer Bucket List}

Amber Leave a comment

The quads sampled their first snow cones at our annual NICU reunion this spring, but hadn’t gone to a legitimate snow cone place (you know the kind with shaved ice and a gazillion flavor options?!?!).   After hearing locals buzzing about Bahama Buck’s and George and I were dying to give them a whirl.   Bahama Buck’s is a bit more refined than the old snow cone shacks I remember enjoying as a kid, but they boast just as many decadent flavor options.  George and I both ordered our old school favorites: Ninja Turtle (not technically on the menu, but they created one for George with banana, blue coconut and lime) and Tiger’s Blood.  In good quadruplet fashion, the kids chose their assigned colors rather than favorite flavors: Rylin- Pink Princess, Harper- Blue Coconut, Sydney- Purple Grape, and Mason- Green Lime.  Even though we ordered the “baby” size, these snow cones were mammoth, and thankfully the quads did not even try to finish them.  If they consumed all of the sugar they never would have gone to bed that night!
shaved ice
  
Sydney had a sensory experience with her shaved ice, spreading it onto her face and the table…baby wipes came to the rescue.

Bahama Buck's

What is your favorite snow cone flavor?

Here’s to another item ticked off our summer bucket list!  Check in later for more summer fun.

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Splashground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles

hugs,

Amber

PS- If you can’t get enough of Four to Adore, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!